Enterprise COBOL – For Business Application Programming

Video-Based Entry Level training provided by IBM

Length:

• 24 separate one-hour modules
  • Two classes/per week – Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 PM Eastern to 2:00 PM Eastern
• Optional “Office hours” (instructor-led Q&A) will be available each week for mentoring via Webex

Format:

• Remote Instructor-Led Training - delivered by an IBM instructor with over 35 years of COBOL experience and 10 years of Entry-Level z/OS training
• Hands-on Workshops will be done using the IBM Z Open Development IDE (the 90-day trial) and either an IBM mainframe system or your own LPAR
• All the workshop resources will be made available if you would like to run the labs in your mainframe environment. If you choose to do this you will be responsible for setting up the environment

Book & Reference Materials:

• A detailed COBOL learning PDF – containing workshops, examples, terms & concepts for all of the course modules and labs is supplied
• Various links to free online learning sources will be noted throughout the course, with links from Modules to specific online content
  • Books and white papers
  • COBOL video instruction
  • IBM Knowledge Center
• All class modules will be recorded and made available
• All training is done in English – as are the printed materials for the class

• After successfully completing the course, attendees will be able to complete COBOL development and maintenance tasks – and be ready to advance to more complex topics through independent study or in-house mentoring.

• Digital credentials are the future and they are here for Enterprise COBOL. Digital credentials are transforming how IBM is engaging, recognizing and managing talent. Showcase your COBOL programming skills by earning the digital badge.

• The badge holder has successfully completed the workshops and class instruction, from the "Enterprise COBOL for Business Application Programming" Remote Training Course, including:
  • z/OS and COBOL Terms, Concepts and Vocabulary
  • Navigating seamlessly through either the ZOD, IDz or ISPF development tool-sets.
  • Programming in COBOL:
    • Program structure
    • Coding "Best Practices"
    • Compile/Link
    • ABEND Resolution
    • Primary language constructs
    • Copy/Include frameworks
    • CALL/CALLING - Subroutine/ENTRY and Linkage requirements
    • Working with data files in HEX
    • Report Programs
    • Intrinsic Functions
    • Table Handling
    • Advanced Arithmetic
    • COBOL internal functions and treatments (alpha vs. numeric, etc.)
    • Debugging code
    • Structured COBOL design
  • Interpreting business/COBOL specifications
    • Managing Jobs and remote files and data sets
    • Creating test data files
    • Understanding and working with different kinds of testing

• Successful completion of the "Enterprise COBOL for Business Application Programming" training course, through Remote-Instructor-Led learning, including:
  • Content/Concepts & Facilities: Presentation + Slideware - attendance at > 80% of the sessions
  • Hands-on Labs and Workshops - 80% of the workshops working correctly - including the mid-term and final exam programming assignments
  • Quizzes and Review Questions -  an average of 80 or above on all formal quizzes in the materials
• Please read through the course syllabus for more information. You will receive your badge within 10 business days of completing the training curriculum. This badge can be obtained by any IBM employee or non-IBM employee.

• IBM has established a Digital Badge Program to recognize our employees' significant achievements and skills attainment. IBM credentials are recognized, respected and valued globally in the IT industry. This program will enable you to easily and quickly share verified proof of your achievement both within IBM and externally. Where applicable, your IBM credentials will be represented by a digital image that contains verified metadata describing your qualifications and the rigorous process necessary to earn them.

• For questions about the Enterprise COBOL for Business Application Programming badge program, such as a missing or incorrect badge or how to earn the badge, contact Jonathon Sayles (jsayles@us.ibm.com) or Claire Nelson (claire.nelson@ibm.com).
• Acclaim Support: For questions related to your Acclaim badge earner account and profile, as well as issues related to claiming your badge after receiving a notification, go to http://support.youracclaim.com.
• For Frequently Asked Questions about the IBM Digital Badge Program, click here.

• IBM leverages the services of Credly's Acclaim platform, a 3rd party data processor authorized by IBM and located in the United States, to assist in the administration of the IBM Digital Badge program. In order to issue you an IBM Digital Badge, your personal information (name, email address, and badge earned) will be shared with the Credly’s Acclaim platform. You will receive an email notification from Acclaim with instructions for claiming the badge. Your personal information is used to issue your badge and for program reporting and operational purposes. It will be handled in a manner consistent with IBM privacy practices. The IBM Privacy Statement can be viewed here: https://www.ibm.com/privacy/us/en/. IBM employees can view the IBM Internal Privacy Statement here: https://w3.ibm.com/w3publisher/w3-privacy-notice